#weltegram2014 Day 51-56

It's Thursday, which means one of two things. 1) You're one day closer to Friday 2.) It's time for another installment of #weltegram2014 where you'll get a daily picture from  our lives over the past week. 

Day 51- You get two pictures, because the photo collage I had made, was somehow missing off my phone.

 

My girls were practicing their soccer skills with daddy.

 

We want to sign Gretchen up for soccer again right after spring break. When I was talking to Gretchen about soccer, at dinner, Megan said, "Me want to play soccer." So maybe, just maybe we'll sign her up or at least let her try a class. I'm sort of afraid that she'll be timid and shy and scared and not want to participate in the class, but maybe she'll do great, and DJ and I both think that Megan may be a little more athletic than her older sister.

Day 52- DJ grilled pork chops and asparagus while the girls played outside.

Day 53- The girls wore red to church. Addy was not wanting to have her picture taken.

 

And side note, but I cannot figure out how to resize all of my pictures. It'll let me resize some of the pictures, but not all of them, and I just realized that some of my pictures are getting cut off because I have no idea how to resize the layout of my blog in genera.

Day 54- I took Addy to the doctor because she had a horrible rash, which was determined that it was either Fifth's Disease or Roseola. Your guess is as good as mine.

Day 55- My little thumb sucker. Her rash was so much better and pretty much gone!

Day 56- We went out to eat as a family and this dinner was enough to make me never want to eat out with my children again. Even though we were all smiles at the end!

 

Y'all have a great Thursday!

A Late Edition of WIWW

I'm getting this post up way later than planned today! Typically, I have a few minutes before work, but I had a meeting this morning, and we had our state writing test today that I had to help administer, and this is the first time that I had a chance to sit down and write today.

 

I usually link up with several blogs for WIWW and lately I have not been good AT ALL about taking pictures! In fact, I think this first outfit is something that you've already seen, and I just didn't delete it off my phone! 

But, it's my all time favorite outfit right now. I purchased the shirt from Loft back in January and it was on sale, and ti's the perfect long sleeve t right now. I love the little ruffles down the front, love the buttons, and I love how it hangs and it doesn't hug my mid-section.

 

I paired it with skinny jeans and tall boots and this was a super easy outfit that I wore when taking Gretchen to a birthday party. With a longer tank underneath, it could be paired with leggings, or you could add some color with a scarf.

 

Speaking of scarves:

Last week, I wore an ivory colored dress that I bought at Target (last Fall). I paired the dress with leggings and boots, but wanted to add a pop of color. Typically, I've worn this outfit with just the leopard scarf tied in bow, but I decided to layer two scarves together for the look above. I loved the pop of color and that the two scarves added a little more bulk, because they're each pretty thin when worn seperately.

 

Thanks for stopping by today! I feel like I've been a mix of running late and crazy all over the place lately, to which my husband would just tell me that I need to wake up a little earlier every day. #nothankyou

 

Stop back by tomorrow for #weltegram2014

 

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Today's Post….

Today's post was somehow published yesterday, so make sure you check it out here.

I was able to try Shakeology for a week, so you'll have to read the post to see how much I loved the product!

You may also want to check out the weekend wrap-up that was also published yesterday, in case you missed it!  

In other news, yesterday I was able to stay home with Adalyn and take her to the doctor so we could find out about her mysterious rash. She still has the rash, but it is looking better, and we still don't really know the cause of it, other than it's a viral infection, and will run it's course and the rash will eventually go away. 

This is how poor Addy looked at the doctor's office today. 

After Adalyn's appointment, I took lunch to Gretchen at school. She was suppose to buy her lunch for pizza day, but when she realized I'd be home, she begged me to bring her lunch because she sees other mommy's do it all the time! Thanks to her little guilt trip, she got McDonald's for lunch. 

This is Gretchen and her little BFF. They sit together every day.

Once Addy and I got home and I got her settled down for a nap, I went upstairs to work on a few projects:

I'm so excited that my girls are going to have matching Easter pajamas this year! I finished Megan's today, and wasn't able to start on the others since Addy woke up before I was done. 

This design can also be done on a shirt or a dress with a variety of fabric options! 

I also made this little bird for Adalyn. It's just so sweet and simple, and I decided to use lots of bright fun colors for spring!

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Team Beachbody: Shakeology Review

A few weeks ago, one of my Facebook friends posted that she was looking for Bloggers to review Shakeology. I jumped at the chance, and here's why!

I have been friends with Angelica for several months, I'd guess for at least a year or more. We "met" through a crafter's group, and became Facebook friends. I remember her posting that her husband was going to be deployed and that she was starting a weight loss journey. Through Facebook and Instagram, I followed her progress and I was amazed. That's probably not even the right word, my jaw would just drop every single time that I saw her progress. Y'all, she looked amazing!

This is Angelica in June on day 5 of her challenge.

And this is Angelica in January! Just 7 months after starting Shakeology!

Holy hot mama! Does she not look amazing!

So, of course I was excited to try this product, especially after watching Angelica shrink before my eyes!

She sent me a 7 day supply of Shakeology for me to try and review. 

I started on a Monday morning, so I could start my week out right! 

I asked her to send me the Chocolate flavored packs, because i'm all about anything chocolate!

The first morning I mixed the entire package of the mix with ice and milk in my blender. I was not expecting it to taste good at all. I was super surprised when I tasted it and realized that it tasted just like a milkshake. From Sonic.

Yes, you read that right.

I messaged Angelica that morning as soon as I got to work and told her how yummy the drink was and how excited I was to finish out the week. I told her that maybe it was too chocolatey, and she told me that I could use just half of the package if I wanted. 

Over the next several days, I mixed my shakes a few different ways. I blended in ice, milk, oatmeal, peanut butter, &/or chia seeds.

On Wednesday, I realized that I had lost two pounds!

I was staying full throughout the morning, and one day, I realized that I had to force myself to eat lunch. I also had more energy during the day. One morning, I didn't have time for my shake, so I drank it for dinner, and realized that I didn't have my urge to snack at night like I typically do.

I loved the product! I was even messaging Angelica at the end that I may want to become a coach. I'm still in the process of making this decision, but it was the best "weight loss" shake I have tried. 

Here's a few other things I love about the Beachbody program: you get a personalized website, where you can enter in your weight, measurements, photos, and track your own progress. They have tons of recipe ideas for your shakes. You can order single serving packets, or a mix for the entire month. You can order in vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry flavors. 

And, the cost is just under $4.00 a day!

I was telling my neighbor that DJ eats out for lunch almost every single day, and I assure you that the cost of Beachbody is less than what he spends eating out!

If you're interested in trying this product, you can contact Angelica for more information! You can also check out her Facebook page. 

I was gifted a 7 day supply in exchange for the review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Weekend Wrap-Up: Spring is in the Air

Our weather this weekend was once again fabulous, and every day that we have a day full of sunshine and warmth, I'm thankful all over again that DJ was able to take the job at Tulsa and move us out of the cold in Indiana! This southern girl just could not take that snow! 

DJ takes the little girls to daycare every day, and Meggie wanted to take this little bottle of ketchup with her to school. This girl loves her ketchup! 

We had a typical Friday evening. I got home late, made the girls fish sticks for dinner, had a glass of wine with our neighbor, and DJ brought home Pei Wei for the two of us.

This book came in the mail, and I spent most of the evening reading! I spent most of the time in bursts of laughter and DJ just kept looking at me like I was the weirdest girl on the planet.

The book was written by, Melanie Shankle, the author of Big Mama blog, and to be quiet honest, I don't even read her blog (although i'm going to start reading it!) the book was so highly recommended by several blog's that I do read, that I had to get the book for myself! 

I suggest that you get it too.

Megan fell asleep in the hallway again, by her sister's stinky shoes. If you're a regular around this blog, you'll know that this is a very common occurrence as of late.

Saturday morning, DJ and I cleaned house, and thank God that recruiting Saturday's at the football office are over, because our house was clean before noon and that my friends is a record.

After lunch, Gretchen and I headed to Hobby Lobby and Reasor's.

She road in the buggy at Reasor's, and I just laughed at how ridiculous she looked! 

Addy Pearl slept most of the day on Saturday. She slept from 9-12 in the morning, and I finally had to wake her up to feed her, then she slept from 1-4 that afternoon!

We cuddled a lot when I got back from the grocery store.

DJ grilled pork chops and asparagus for dinner and the girls played outside for a little while.

Then, this happened.

Y'all, this NEVER happens! She fell asleep in her own bed! 

We went to church on Sunday morning and I didn't get a picture before church, so I took this one as soon as we got home, and Addy Pearl was NOT happy! 

After naps & rest time, DJ took the girls outside to play.

Meggie sported her Hi hoodie from Vine & Ever. 

And, I cuddled this baby girl most of the afternoon.

And, here's why:

Sunday morning, I noticed that Adalyn had a rash on her belly. I sent a picture to my mom and sister in law (both nurses) and we figured it was an allergic reaction. After church, DJ and I gave her the tiniest amount of Benedry. Her rash got progressively worse, and I decided to take her to urgent care. However, there were like 15 people in the waiting room, and many of them were wearing masks and the clinic is notoriously slow and I didn't want to risk getting Addy really sick.

So, I called DJ and my doctor, and he answered the phone and I explained what was going on. He told me that it was probably Fifth's Disease, and what it was. He told me not to worry about coming in, because there was honestly nothing that could be done for her. That we could give tylenol to alleviate any secondary symptoms. And while I know this sounds like a doctor who just didn't want to work on a Sunday afternoon, I assure it was not. We spoke for around 15 minutes and he told me that she probably needed to stay home from daycare on Monday, and that I could bring her in to the office on Monday. He reassured me and made feel lots better, and I'm so glad that I did not wait the entire afternoon at that walk in clinic! 

Addy's rash still looks horrible, so I'm home today, and we're heading to the pediatrician's office. 

Because my hubby was home and is so awesome, I was also able to complete these projects:

My dear friend, Kelly, asked me to make a bib for her son's 1st birthday party! 

And, I had an order for a Sofia the First inspired pajama set.

I'm also have a sale on appliqué shirts this week! Buy one get one free! You can contact me via Facebook to place your order! This would be a great time to buy a brother/sister set, for a birthday, or even for football season, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas! 

It's Friday! Woot Woot!

Once again, I'm off my normally scheduled blog posting for the week! But, it was a crazy beginning of the week with DJ out of town, my mom being here, work, staying caught up, and brainstorming a few new ideas!

In my head, I have some super amazing things planned for this blog, and i'm so excited about them!

Here's a weekly re-cap, because it's too late in the day for a 5 on Friday, link up!

First up.... this Frozen hair bow! So many of you pre-orderd this hair bow from me, and they were all shipped on Tuesday. I just love the way they all turned out, each one is still uniquely different from the rest, and I'm loving the new center that I used! Because so many of your honey pie's are Frozen fans, like my own daughter, i'm actually sold out of this hair bow! I think I have enough ribbon left over to make Gretchen a bow, but that is it! You ladies just loved them so much!

I'm slowly getting back to work now that my embroidery machine is fixed and that DJ is having a little more time off. I've had lots of people message me with custom orders, and I'm getting those knocked out right now!

If you're interested in St. Patricks day shirts, order NOW! I also have hair bows for the day of green, and I'm taking Easter orders too!

On Sunday, I took Gretchen to a birthday party, and her little boyfriend gave her a little stuffed puppy! I tucked her and her puppy in this week.

This is the look of love y'all, and I promise, it's not the puppy she's in love with! It's the boy.

On Tuesday, Meggie was not herself at daycare. She was acting so tired, and I really was worried about her. I called twice to check on her, and I left work early just so I could go get her. I was praying she wasn't sick, but I was also excited to put on jammies and cuddle with her when we got home!

This is me sitting in traffic heading to pick her up.

I keep going back and forth about cutting my hair, and then I look at this picture, and I love it long. Decisions, decisions.

Once we got home, Meggie was instantly better and went to play outside with her big sister. I swear, it's like a flip switched. It hink she was just overly tired and worn out. Because of her "day of rest" at preschool, she stayed up until 10:00 pm Tuesday night.

When I picked her up Wednesday, she ran down the hall way to me! It instantly made my day!

I think she saw me walk by her classroom and she ran out and chased me down to Addy's class.

DJ got home Wednesday night and the girls were so, so, so happy to have daddy home again! He had been gone off and on for two weeks and then so busy on the weekends, that we're excited for a few evenings and weekends of normalcy before spring ball starts again.

And, this is neither here nor there when pertaining to this blog post, it's just a random side note, but I want to encourage you all to trust in God. Over the last year, DJ and I have gone through some financial ups and downs. I have been amazed, that when we have hit a "low point", God has always provided. I really hate to talk about our finances, because it's so personal, but I kid you not, every single time that I think we may be in over our head, God had provided and needs have been met. We have known that this trial period would be a short trial period. We had unexpected bills since we were surprised with Adalyn! We knew that with insurance, my job change, and my maternity leave, that there would be difficult times. We knew that without a bowl bonus or conference championship, that our difficult times would last a little longer. But, there's been a light at the end of the tunnel, and I know that it's not because of DJ or I. I know that it's because of God. I can look back over the past year and we have survived because of God. We have grown closer as a couple, and i'm just amazed at God's grace, how full his blessings are. When life slows down, it is so easy to see God's blessings. I'm just amazed at how many i'm seeing right now. Not in just our life, but in so many other's. I'm so thankful for my God. I pray that you will draw near to him and trust that He will provide, because He will.

And, on that note, have a blessed weekend! I'll be back Monday with a weekend wrap up, and a few other fun things next week!

#weltegram2014 Day 44-50

Welcome back to my blog today :) I took a little break over the last few days since DJ was out of town and things were a bit crazy to say the least!

 

It's Thursday, which means we only have to survive today and tomorrow and the weekend is here! Here's a look back at our week.

Day 44- Gretchen had her Valentine's party at Kindergarten today. She looked gorgeous in her applique shirt & m2m hair bow!

 

Day 45-My Valentine's Day dates! We had our annual Valentine's day pizza dinner.

Day 46- DJ and I took the girls to a TU basketball game.

Day 47- When daddy's away and Gee is here, we go out for late evening ice cream!

Day 48-Gee spoiled Gretchen Rose today while they stayed home together. She bought her a new LaLaLoopsy doll!

Day 49- Addy Pearl was a happy baby tonight!!! She usually is fussy or napping in the evenings, so the rarity that she was happy was so exciting for me!

Day 50- We had McDonald's for dinner. Sometimes, you just need to not cook and not care!

 

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Weekend Wrap Up

We had such a fun, fabulous, super busy weekend! Right now, i'm so thankful that the weather is warmer and the sun is shining, because it's made me a much happier person! I've realized this year that i'm such a grouch when it is cold outside, and our family is much happier when the sun is shining!

Friday night, we took the girls out for pizza, for our annual Valentine's day dinner. DJ and I started this tradition when Gretchen was just a few weeks old, and we wanted a non-romantic Valentine's day dinner. We figured most people wouldn't be having a hot date at a pizza parlor.

Saturday morning we got up and I made pancakes. Then, I sat down to pump....

 I typically only pump at work, but I'm needing to increase my supply, not only for Adalyn (we're leaving her with my mom for a weekend in April) but also, for a friend of mine who just adopted a baby. I was able to donate about 50 ounces of milk to her precious little baby boy this weekend, and i'm hoping i'll be able to donate more in the coming weeks and months!

Please pray for me that i'll be able to create a supply for two babies, and pray for the other moms that are donating milk to baby Nolan.

Later that morning, DJ left for junior day at the football offices, and I picked up the house a little and then our friends, The Thummel's, came over to bring Gretchen her birthday present. (They couldn't all make it to G's party.)

Then, our neighbors came over and we talked for a while before the girls and I got ready for the TU basketball game.

DJ and I haven't had a chance to take the girls to a basketball game this year. We've been so busy, and it's been so cold, and with working full time and having three girls, I feel like we never had the time! This weekend was perfect for us to all go to a game together!

Adalyn did great in her carrier the whole time, and even fell asleep!

Gretchen was really excited to go to a game, an I was very impressed when she cheered for the offense when we had the ball!

Bless her little heart, we are trying to teach her how to take a picture, and most of the time she never gets it "right" and always ends up with a deer in the headlights look!

Meggie had lots of fun at the game too! She was all about daddy most of the time, and enjoyed her popcorn and "slurppy". She was so comfortable at one point that she had her socks and shoes off, and ended up taking off both of her hair bows! But, she did get scared with some loud noises a few times. Bless her, she's my sensitive one!

After the game, DJ took the girls home and Adalyn and I headed to Target, and I had the best Target experience ever! It was just so calm and quiet. It was very strange and peaceful all at the same time.

Megan fell asleep on the floor (again) on Saturday night. I told DJ that I'm going to create a huge picture collage of her sleeping on the floor! DJ finally put her back in her bed, but she crawled in bed with us by midnight. I think DJ finally went to sleep in her bed around 1 am!

DJ and I watched  movie Saturday night, and he worked on our taxes, and I worked on Frozen hair bows. I did a pre-order for these a few weeks ago, and i'm loving how they are turning out! I purchased a new piece to use as the bow centers, and I love them!

Sunday morning, we got up and went to church. Afterwards, we headed home for a quick bite to eat, and then Gretchen and I went to a birthday party for a little boy in her class.

Gretchen's friend Connor was there too. These two have such a funny little relationship! I first found out about Connor when she started to talk about him in October. They sit at the same table in class, and one afternoon, she told me she was going to marry him. They play at recess together every day! In November, she told him that he'd have to ask her daddy permission for them to get married (in front of the entire class and a classroom full of parents, because they were there for the Thanksgiving lunch) and there little relationship has grown from there! They have their wedding all planned out- Gretchen is wearing a pink dress and they're getting married at the beach!

His mom and I have been chatting on Facebook and exchanging the stories that we hear every day, and I told her that I had printed a picture of Gretchen and Connor from their Christmas performance, and she asked if Connor could buy Gretchen a picture frame for the picture, (because, G had wanted to frame it). So, after the birthday party, we walked out to their car with them, and Connor was so excited to give Gretchen the picture frame and little puppy dog that he had bought her from the Dollar Tree with his own money! It was so sweet!

Later in the car, Gretchen told me she didn't want to marry Connor anymore, but she did still want to be his friend. She said she was afraid if she told him, that she'd hut his feelings! And I tried to remind her how important it is to be nice to everyone and that it was totally okay if they didn't get married. They're 6 and 5 after all! But, then that evening when we framed her picture, she kissed it and put it on her nightstand! I think she's playing a little hard to get or just wants her mom to not think it's as serious!

We headed home after the party and the girls played otuside for a little bit. My mom came up and is staying with us until Tuesday.

DJ left yesterday to drive to Indiana. His cousin passed away this past week, and he's going for the wake and funeral, and I'm just a nervous wreck today because he's driving through ice and snow to get there!

Gretchen is out of school today, and I have professional development at school, so my mom came up to watch Gretchen. The little girls went to daycare, and i'm sure my mom and G are having a great time today!

After dinner last night, my mom took us out for ice cream. The girls love spending time with their Gee!

Before Megan went to bed (in her bed!) she told Gee, "stay at my house!" And then at some point she woke up crying for her Gee. I had her get in bed with me, but then she got up and found Gee sleeping upstairs in Gretchen's bed, and climbed in bed with them!

I hope y'all had a great weekend too! I hope you're enjoying warmer weather! I'm so over winter and ready for flowers and spring!